RIP LBK

The death of a friend is always tough especially when they are so young. I just found out that David Rillo a man I knew as LBK from the internet died earlier this month. I had talked with him a number of times on line and actually met him for the first time at a get together we had last month. On the computer and in real life he seemed like a great guy.

My last conversation with him was not any earth shattering deep talk just a conversation on where a couple of big old boys could find hunting equipment in our size. We also talked about hunting in Maine. I enjoyed meeting him and only wished I had gotten to know him better.

I’ll admit that there are some thoughts running through my mind that as a person that regularly deals with troubled people was there anything I could have done to help him. I know there is not because like many from our website we did not know that he was troubled and contemplating suicide . The day we all spent together in September was really a great day of fun and I think a time we all forgot about the daily troubles and struggles we wrestle with.

David Andrew Rillo, age 34, of 304 Tremont Dr., Asheboro died Sunday, October 18, 2009 at his home.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 2:00 pm at Balfour Baptist Church with Chaplain Dwight Ayers and Dr. Ron Chaney officiating.

Mr. Rillo was a 1993 graduate of Southern Davidson High School, received his associate degree in Criminal Justice from Randolph Community College and was a deputy with the Randolph County Sherriff’s Department. He was an avid fisherman and hunter.

He is survived by his wife, Duwana V. Rillo; step-daughter, Samantha Tubbleville of the home; parents, Jerry and Kathryn Rillo of Candor; brothers, John Rillo of Norman, Paul Rillo of Star; sister, Courtney Rillo of Candor; grandfather, Ronald Chartier of Peru, ME; grandmother, Lorette Rillo of Ellerbe.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 12:00-1:30pm at Balfour Baptist Church, 1644 North Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC.

Arrangements by Pugh Funeral Home, Asheboro.

Memorials may be made to David Rillo Memorial Fund, c/o Randolph County Sherriff Department, 727 McDowell Rd., Asheboro, NC 27205.

I hope LBK rests in peace and I’m glad to hear that he was a born again Christian. His family is in my prayers and I hope that anyone that reads this and maybe struggling with suicidal thoughts will seek out help.

Bills Filed To Remove The Last of The Sunday Blue Laws

As time goes on fewer and fewer states keep or enforce laws that were put in place to maintain “the Sabbath”. Many of us remember the days when stores were closed on Sundays and hardly anyone had to work those are by gone days for sure. North Carolina seems to be moving towards eliminating the last of the Blue Laws

Alcoholic Beverage Control stores have been closed on Sundays since the 1930s. The Sunday firearm hunting ban on state-regulated land has been in place since 1869.

N&O
Two separate bills have been introduced one to end the ban on hunting with a firearm in North Carolina and another to allow the sales of alcohol on Sundays. It would appear the bill that will generate money for the state because they are after all in the business of selling booze has some legs. The Sunday Hunting Bill does not have the same level of support so it is unclear whether it will pass this time. I’m sure it is only a matter of time before the Sunday Hunting ban is lifted. Maybe some churches with a lot of parishioners who hunt could move the morning service a bit closer to noon and include a meal to encourage them to come out of the woods. Who knows that may even help add more folks to the church.

The Start of A New Year and The Ending Of The Deer Season

While many people ring in the New Year by watching a ball drop in New York, an acorn in Raleigh or a pickle in Mount Olive North Carolina I held off my celebration to a few hours latter. I greeted the New Year and the ending of the deer season at the same time as the sun rose on the first day of 2009. A very uneventful morning without a deer being sighted on the last day of the season. Often times I skip hunting the last day but this year with the warm weather finally breaking I couldn’t resist the early morning cold. It was an enjoyable morning as I sat in the deer stand waiting to see the new day. I spent sometime reflecting on the past year and how good the Lord had been to me and prayed about the year to come. Kind of sad to see the deer season end because nothing is better for my spiritual life then spending time sitting in the deer woods and praying. I hope everyone has a great 2009 and lets all try to take a little more time this coming year and thank the Lord for his goodness towards us.

Happy New Year and I hope 2009 is a good one for all of us.

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone has a nice Christmas and takes out some time today to reflect on the true meaning of the celebration.

Luke 2

1Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth.

2This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

3And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city.

4Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David,

5 in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child.

6While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth.

7And she gave birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

8In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.

9And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened.

10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

11for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

12″This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,
14″Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased.”

15When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”

16So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.

17When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.

18And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

19But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

20The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Lets not forget to say a prayer for those who are in harms way defending our freedoms and certainly not forget the sacrifices many have made to defend freedom.

Merry Christmas
-Moose-

A Bad Day

I’ll be honest I don’t feel much like blogging tonight but I’ll post some of my rambling thoughts. I’m glad days like today do not happen often. I’ll be honest my faith in God is what gets me through days like today. No matter how difficult the trail we don’t walk it alone when we keep our faith in Him. I don’t know why the crazy crappy things of life happen but no matter how tough it gets God is still in Control. Even on tough days like this the earth is full of his glory.

Never Forget

September 11th and the memories will forever be burned in my mind as I’m sure it is for many of you. On that fateful day many brave people died trying to rescue those who were trapped. I wear a memory bracelet with Capt. Daniel Brethel name on it he like many of his fellow NYFD lost his life trying to save others at what is now called ground zero.

Daniel Brethel, captain of Ladder 24 on West 31st Street in Manhattan, had had some close calls: His neck and ears had been burned when he was holding his helmet over an injured firefighter who was lying on the street; once he had required a skin graft. Arriving at the World Trade Center after both jets had hit, he shouted a warning to his men: “Guys, be very careful, because firemen are going to die today.”
He had been off duty at 9 a.m. His wife, Carol, hearing about the attack at their home in Farmingdale, hoped he was already on the train and knew nothing about it. On Tuesday night, they came to the house and told her they had found his body. Captain Brethel, 43, had grabbed one of his men as a building started to collapse. They dived under a firetruck. Both were crushed.

Today I’ll take some time to reflect on the overwhelming sacrifices that were made that day. As well as offer a prayer for the families that lost love ones. No matter your political views on the war against terror many of our young people stand on our behalf in harms way on foreign soil. I hope you’ll join me in praying for their safety l and safe return to their families.

Memorial Day Thoughts

Memorial Day has always been a special day for as long as I can remember. Growing up in the Boston area in the era of Vietnam I remember going down to see the parade and the ceremonies at the cemetery. At the time I was really not able to fathom the sacrifice many had made on our behalf. My Dad and Mom did their best to instill in us kids the love of God & Country. Sure Memorial Day was the kick off of the summer and we often had our first cook out on that day but it was the time we spent with at the cemetery remembering those sacrifices that were made that are forever etched in my mind. In elementary school I remember the Memorial Day assembly when veterans from world war one on up would be present and the patriotic songs and speeches were given. I don’t have kids but somehow in our political correct society I’m sure the schools frown on such an activity. I’m sure it warps the development of young minds.

As the years go by those lessons of my youth are not forgotten. I never served coming of age when Ronald Regan was president and his victory over the Russians. It seemed that we were for the most part at peace. What we see clearly now was like a whisper of smoke then as radical Muslims carried out terrorist attacks on our Country and interests. All of that seemed to come to a head when they hit us on 911. We have many service people today in harms way to defend freedom like countless ones before them.

The lessons I learned in my youth are not forgotten and this day is a very special day for me. It somehow seems fitting that my Dad was finally laid to rest on Memorial Day in 2001 after he lost his battle with cancer the previous Thanksgiving. Living in Maine the winters are long and the final laying someone to rest often waits till spring. Dad served in Korea and although he rarely talked about his experiences he was proud to serve to keep all of us free like thousand upon thousand of others who have done the same.

What has become an annual event for me I watched the National Memorial Concert from Washington DC last evening. A very moving tribute to all that have served or are serving our great country. The World War II vets are fading fast I hope people are listening to their voices so we never relive the horrors they had to face. I’m not sure that enough of us have listened as I watched the old scenes that our troops found in Germany compared to the horrors that I believe we’ll see in our lifetime if we stumble with the conflict we face today.

I hope you take some time today to reflect on really what the cost of freedom is. Instill some of this in the younger generations so they are ready to answer the call of freedom. Take time to thank a veteran for keeping us free. Pray for those that have returned home with wounds and injuries that they may heal. Uphold the families that have lost a love one. Be an active part of “A Grateful Nation” and thank those who have stood to keep us free.

Seeing Easter

Us outdoor types are usually very observant and see a lot that the average person may miss. It seems to never fail I’ll be driving down a road and I’ll see wildlife everywhere and my wife often times doesn’t see it till I point it out. “How can you be watching the road while scanning the fields looking for deer” she’ll often ask me. I’m not exactly looking in the fields but after years of observing critters I just can pick them out. We’ve trained our brains and our eyes to see the wildlife and we can do that with spiritual things as well.
We look around us and we can’t help to see the Creator’s handiwork in all of creation around us and we have to realize that there is a Creator. Some of us may recognize a Creator but don’t take the extra step to develop a relationship with Him through his Son Jesus. Jesus defeated death for us and that is what we celebrate every Easter. Accepting his sacrifice for our sins we can also have victory over death and enjoy eternal life.
On that original Easter Morning the tomb Jesus was in was sealed and secured with soldiers guarding it and the Bible tells us that the stone was rolled back. Why to let Jesus out? No to let man in to see that the tomb was empty. There are a number of accounts of Jesus appearing to those who knew him well and them not recognizing him at first…why? I’m not sure maybe disbelief or utter sadness over his death but like critters on the side of the road once someone points it out we can’t help but see.

I went to the community sunrise service this morning at Lake Benson Park. There were a good number of folks for it being such a cool morning. For me sunrise is always a special time, and I often find myself talking with God so this morning was no different. Something about singing “Up From The Grave He Arose” as the geese get up off the lake and fly over joining in our praise for the Creator. I get to do this many mornings a year often from a treestand or a blind and not so many people but it’s great to rejoice with all creation. I hope you can see clearly the message of Easter and that you’ve accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior if not check this link out for more information.
Happy Easter
-Moose-

Sunday Hunting Part 2 “Separation of Church & State”

People often refer to the First Amendment of the US Constitution as the “separation of church & state” which is a completely wrong interpretation of the 1st amendment. It disallows the government from establishing an “official religion” for the country but at the same time it does not prohibit the expression of Judaeo Christian principles that are integrate philosophy of the founding of this country.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Needless to say I believe that many of the liberals including most of the media has twisted the First Amendment to attempt to blot out any mention of God, to stop prays, and to block the rights of individuals to practice or display religion in public. I could expand even more on that topic but I won’t at this time.

How does this apply to hunting on Sunday? Those who want to have this law over turned would have you believe that this law violates the “First Amendment” by believing that it establishes an official religion within the State of North Carolina or by taking the more liberal interpretation it violates the “Separation of Church & State”. I don’t see that it does.
I will grant you that this law along with many others has some foundation within Judaeo Christian principles but it is not totally based on them. The government has not allowed a variety of activities on Sundays over time and many of them have been changed not because the violated the “separation of church & state” but the people got the laws changed. Many of us remember when stores use to be closed on Sundays for example. Currently in the State of North Carolina you can not purchase hard liquor on Sundays if this was a 1st Amendment issue one would think the popularity of alcohol would drive a challenge to the state’s stance.

In North Carolina we have a representative government which means we elect individuals to go to Raleigh and make the laws and change the laws for us. We do not have referendums for the people to decide but we tell our legislators what we want. Currently I don’t see a group of legislators that see this as an important issue to even attempt to put it on the docket. The legislators did ask for the North Carolina Wildlife Commission to study this issue and the results came back last year showing that there was not majority support among the people of the state to change this law. Even when you separate out the hunters from the study that sub group did not support the changing of this law.
Those who want to see this law changed could challenge it violates the 1st Amendment but I don’t think this will change it. They must get the legislators to change the law and in order to do that they must gain the support of many of the stake holders including land owners which is the next thing I’ll talk about in this series. The rights of property owners when it comes to the Sunday Hunting issue.

Sunday Hunting Part 1

Warden Chaplain: Blessing Moose is All Part Of A Days Work

Maine is one of a handful of states that has a Chaplain as part of the warden service. When you think about the variety of tragedies and rescues that most State Wildlife Agencies are called on to perform it seems to make a lot of sense to have a Chaplain as part of the professional staff.

I came across this CNN report on the Maine Warden Service Chaplain Kate Braestrup and her story while wrapped in tragedy with the untimely death of her husband a Maine State Trooper Killed in the line of Duty and the path she took to become a chaplain.

Her husband, Maine State Police Trooper Drew Griffith, was killed in 1996 when a truck slammed into his cruiser about a mile from home, leaving Braestrup to raise their four young children by herself.
Although he was 15 years from retirement, Griffith’s long-term plan was to attend seminary and pursue a second career as a minister. Braestrup took on that dream and went on to become chaplain of the Maine Warden Service, helping people who find themselves in the midst of sudden tragedy not unlike her own.

The entire CNN Story is a good one and well worth the time to read. This sounds like a worthwhile program that more states might want to look at adding. Maine is a big state and it sounds like she travels where ever the need is. She even has on occasion blessed some of the wildlife as well;

And yes, she did on one occasion bless a moose. It happened when she was in Presque Isle and arrived at the scene of one of Maine’s all-too-frequent car-moose collisions. The motorist was unhurt, but the big animal was mortally injured.
At the driver’s behest, Braestrup placed her hand on the moose as it raised its head and then died.
“I said this little prayer, and then I thought, ‘Oh my God, I just did last rites on a moose!”‘

The Sign of Hope

Well this has been a rather difficult week at work and I came home and saw this sight out my back window. A doe with her yearling buck a sign from the Almighty that no matter how hard things might be the cycle of life continues. I’m sure she’ll be running him off soon so she can have this year off spring but it was a sight that lifted my spirits and a blessing I needed.

Tired of Fish for Lent?

Growing up in a predominately Catholic area like Boston I’m very familiar with the practice of giving up meat on Friday’s for lent. This is a form of penance practiced by Catholics leading up to Easter for those who may not be familiar with lent. Many of the churches around here have fish fries on Friday’s that I’ve been known to attend not because of lent but just because I like fish.

Photo Catholic Org

I was intrigued to discover that in Michigan Lent observers have another option besides fish to eat on Fridays… Muskrat?!! That’s right Muskrat the other white meat wait a minute that’s possum but anyways it seems some Michigan Catholics eat / prefer muskrat over a plate of fried fish.

The custom of eating muskrat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays in Lent apparently goes back to the early 1800s, the time of Father Gabriel Richard, an early missionary in Michigan whose flock included French-Canadian trappers. Legend has it that because trappers and their families were going hungry not eating flesh during Lent, he allowed them to eat muskrat, with the reasoning that the mammal lives in the water.

US Fish & Wildlife

I can think of some other creatures that live in water or at least spend a significant amount of time in the water that has to be better eating then a muskrat.

St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Newport, Mich., holds a muskrat dinner every year to raise funds for the parish’s youth sports teams. The early February dinner includes sides of creamed corn and mashed potatoes. It features prizes donated by local merchants and serves up to several hundred dinners.
Bill “Pip” Chinavare was president of the sports club for 29 years and still heads up the muskrat fundraiser. His wife, Candy, said not many women participate in the annual dinner.
“This is a men’s thing,” she said. “They pack the men in.”
“The majority of women can’t get past the ‘rat’ thing,” she said.

I think I might be with the women on this one.

Father Russ Kohler, pastor at Most Holy Trinity Parish in Detroit and a downriver native, is a regular at the St. Charles Borromeo muskrat dinners. He said the trick to making the muskrat edible is in the marinade, a secret recipe based on a French liqueur.
He said he never ate muskrat before he attended the dinner while filling in at St. Charles as a priest. He’s tried to make the dinner every year since then.
“I didn’t fall in love with the product until I could drink beer,” he joked.
He said muskrat has the consistency of chicken, but with a “unique” taste.

Some how I should of known there would be some alcohol in this story but I can’t believe its better then a piece of beer batter fish. I must admit I’ve never had muskrat, I tried possum once and that wasn’t very good, nor to I plan to have it any time soon. As long as the Catholic Churches and civic groups have fish fries I’ll stop by but don’t slip me a hunk of muskrat. I guess my view would concur with Bishop Povish who said “anyone who could eat muskrat was doing penance worthy of the greatest of the saints.”

Catholic Org

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